North of Farningham village, near Dartford, Kent
Farningham Woods Nature Reserve
Ancient woodland
Source image
7.1
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.1A 68-hectare ancient woodland on a hill above Farningham, recognised as both a Local Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Its small-leaved lime and nationally rare Deptford pink give the woods a botanical story beyond the usual woodland walk.
Farningham Woods earns its place for the combination of ancient woodland, rare plants and a waymarked route across a prominent hilltop reserve. The Deptford pink colony is a particularly distinctive reason to look closely rather than simply walk through.
Peaceful · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapNorth of Farningham village, near Dartford, Kent
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The experience
Follow the reserve’s waymarked 1.6-mile route, then use the wider path network only if you are comfortable with uneven, narrow and unsurfaced trails. Come for the ancient woodland and its rare plants; do not remove plant material.
Things to do
Walk the waymarked route
Follow the 1.6-mile route, which takes in most of the reserve. Paths are uneven and may be narrow or unsurfaced.
Approximately 1–2 hours; duration is an estimate based on the supplied visitor information.
Look for small-leaved lime
The council identifies this rare tree as a notable feature of the reserve and says it is found at only one other site in Kent.
Look for Deptford pink in season
The reserve supports what the council describes as the largest British colony of the nationally rare Deptford pink. The supplied sources do not give flowering dates.
Notice the chalk grassland
The fields north of the woods were formerly arable land and have naturally reverted to chalk grassland; sheep graze them for nature conservation.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1–2 hours
Quick woodland circuit
- 01
Use the council-listed car park at the end of Calfstock Lane, checking the height barrier is suitable for your vehicle.
- 02
Follow the waymarked 1.6-mile route through most of the reserve.
- 03
Take time to look for small-leaved lime and seasonal woodland plants; avoid removing any plant material.
Verified history
The supplied council source records the reserve’s designation as a Local Nature Reserve in 1987 and identifies it as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Explore Kent reports that it was opened by Sir David Attenborough in September 1986. These are the historical details supported by the supplied sources.
Hidden details
A rare tree with a very limited Kent distribution — The council says small-leaved lime is found at only one other site in Kent.
The reserve’s northern fields — Look beyond the woodland edge: former arable fields to the north have reverted to chalk grassland and are grazed by sheep.
Tree-felling restrictions — The council reports Oriental chestnut gall wasp in the reserve and says visitors must not remove plant material. Areas where trees are being felled are closed for safety; obey current signs and barriers.
When to go
· Not specified by the supplied sources.
The reserve is notable for woodland plants, including Deptford pink, but the supplied sources do not give reliable flowering months or other seasonal timings.
Paths are uneven, narrow or unsurfaced in places. Expect conditions to affect footing; no source-specific weather guidance was supplied.
What to look for
Look for small-leaved lime and, in season, Deptford pink. The north-side fields have reverted from arable use to chalk grassland and are grazed by sheep. Do not pick or remove plant material.
The story
Nature conservation
Best time to go
Spring and summer for woodland plants; the council does not specify exact flowering dates.
Spring and summer are the most promising seasons for looking for woodland plants, including Deptford pink. The supplied sources do not confirm its flowering dates, so check locally for current conditions.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Phone
Website
Listed hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
Check before visiting.
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
The reserve has a waymarked 1.6-mile walking route and other paths. The council says it can be entered from the A225, south of Horton Kirby. Check current access and any temporary closures before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
A small car park is located at the end of Calfstock Lane; a height barrier is in place. Confirm suitability for your vehicle before travelling.
Toilets
The council says the nearest toilet facilities are in Farningham village.
Food & drink
Check before visiting; no on-site food facilities are verified.
Check before visiting
Dogs
The supplied source describes dogs as allowed, but the council page does not state dog rules. Check current reserve signage and restrictions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Uneven trails, unsurfaced or narrow paths, stiles and narrow gaps make some parts difficult for wheelchair users and visitors with pushchairs. The council marks the entrance as not wheelchair-accessible.
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Farningham Woods Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
